Taylor Swift’s most recent album, titled Folklore, shocked fans after its surprise release on July 24, 2020. Even more surprising, Swift departed from her long-standing pop sound to explore her more acoustic roots-- but this time with a modern twist. A successful change, as Folklore received critical acclaim and took the Guiness World Record for biggest opening day for an album by a female artist on Spotify. But with sixteen tracks totaling at just over an hour of music, many new fans of the indie- and folk-rock genre are left wondering what comes next. If you’ve found yourself craving something new after your eighth stream of Folklore, here are five new artists you should check out.
Hozier
Best known for his hit debut single “Take Me To Church”, Hozier’s haunting vocals are sure to enchant any listener. It’s surprising that none of his other songs have made the pop charts, though, as the stylistic and mood range he encompases is incredible. If you were to put him on shuffle, you’d go from a gospel-inspired power ballad (“Nina Cried Power”) to a youthful, carefree jam (“Almost (Sweet Music)”) to a soft, bittersweet tale of love (“Cherry Wine”). Fans that enjoyed the woodland whimsy of Folklore are sure to fall in love with the music of Hozier.
Florence + the Machine
Similar to Hozier, Florence has only one song which has truly broken into the mainstream: “Dog Days Are Over”. This is surprising, given that she’s released four studio albums, two live albums, six EPs, and 24 singles. Nonetheless, Florence is sure to please any listener that appreciates a strong female artist. Her tales of overcoming strife (“Moderation”, “Hunger”) are sure to empower any listener as well as get them on their feet dancing . Florence is perfect for those that loved the acoustic sound of Folklore but missed Swift’s powerful pop vocals.
The Amazing Devil
With just over 35,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, The Amazing Devil is the most underground artist on this list and probably the most acquired taste too. Their songs usually range between four and six minutes long with vocals reading more like epic poetry than lyrics (“Marbles”). Don’t let that turn you off, though, as both members’ voices are incredible, layering seamlessly together, heightened by a crescendoing accompaniment (“New York Torch Song”, “The Horror and the Wild”). Those that enjoyed connecting the plot of each song in Folklore will find a new love in The Amazing Devil’s musical storytelling.
Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men is a fairly well known Icelandic alternative band, with their most popular song being “Little Talks”. Their earlier albums feature a softer, acoustic sound (“King And Lionheart”)-- similar to Folklore but a lot more upbeat in rhythm. In recent years, however, their songs have leaned more towards alt-rock than folk (“Visitor”, “Alligator”), with a bit of 80s synth beats showing up in their latest album (“Wars”). Nonetheless, I think anyone willing to branch out will not be disappointed with this band.
The Lumineers
If you were here for Swift’s heart-aching storytelling in Folklore, then you’ll love The Lumineers. Their music has more of a folk rock feel than Swift’s latest release, all while containing the same amount of yearning, making it a perfect pick for any fans of Swift’s early career. In fact, you’ve probably already heard at least one of their songs, be it “Ho Hey”, “Ophelia”, or “Cleopatra”. While they’re not quite dancing songs, their identifiable piano and guitar riffs are sure to make your feet bounce and head sway.
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